Self-Watering Planter Tray

ABSTRACT

A self-watering tray device having an integral internal irrigation system, and a method of watering allowing water to be supplied by means of standard garden water hose and existing water faucet. A plurality of said self-watering trays capable of being daisy-chained in a serial configuration to allow a single source of water from a standard water faucet and standard garden water hoses to provide irrigation water to all of said plurality of self-watering trays and non-self-watering planters positioned thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to self-watering tray devices and, more specifically, to a method and planter tray apparatus for placing a conventional planter container for housing plants thereon, and watering plants providing a conventional container for housing plants and providing irrigation to the plants housed therein by placing said plant containing conventional container upon said self-watering tray device unit adaptable to connection to a standard garden water hose or other low pressure irrigation plumbing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Planters require frequent watering, or else the flowers or other plants therein will quickly wither and die. This is true in moderate as well as hot climates, since such containers hold a relatively small volume of soil and are exposed on all sides, and therefore suffer rapid loss of moisture through evaporation. Moreover, planter boxes are frequently located under eaves, deck coverings, trees or other features that obstruct or limit their access to rain water.

The need for frequent and routine watering places a significant burden on the homeowner or gardener. The burden is especially difficult for persons who are subject to busy work schedules, as well as for the elderly and persons having limited mobility. Moreover, the situation can become acute if the person is absent for a significant period of time—when away on vacation, for example—unless the person can enlist the temporary services of a neighbor, friend or family member to tend to the watering.

These difficulties have, of course, been well known, and a number of solutions have been proposed over the years. While often effective in the sense of being able to achieve a degree of watering, none have represented an entirely satisfactory solution.

Certain of these prior devices have relied on electrically updated valves and controls. This approach has become increasingly common in recent years, however, it remains prohibitively expensive to provide a valve and electric controller for each planter; moreover, to do so would require running not only a water line but also an electrical cord to each and every planter. Certain electrically-operated systems have been developed that employ a central controller and valve assembly from which irrigation tubing is routed to individual destinations, however, this means that a multitude of tubes must be routed from their origin (typically, a garage or basement location) to the various plants

Other automatic watering devices have been developed that do not rely on electrical power for their operation and are therefore free from some of the complications noted above. However, a satisfactory solution has remained elusive.

A few such non-electric devices have relied on structures or materials having physical characteristics that respond in some way to changes in moisture—for example, the swelling of a piece of wood—but as a group such mechanisms exhibit poor reliability and long-term durability. Others have been actuated by changes in height as the amount of water in the container increases/decrease, which offers the prospect of far more reliable operation; however, the mechanisms have generally been deficient for a number of reasons. For example, many of the gravity-operated mechanisms have been excessively complex and/or cumbersome, so that they are too bulky and too expensive to be used with individual planters or boxes, especially where a yard or deck contains a number of planters. The bulky, visually obtrusive appearance of many of these devices also renders them unsatisfactory from an aesthetic standpoint. Moreover, many of the mechanically operated devices are intended to operate in conjunction with an associated reservoir (e.g., a small water tank), which is only a partial solution, since the owner must replenish the reservoir itself on a periodic basis.

A few devices have been developed that take the more effective approach of controlling the flow of water through small-diameter tubing that can be connected to a tap or other pressure source and strung, unobtrusively along a deck railing or other support. However many of these devices require parts that must be machined, cast or molded with very close tolerances making such devices very expensive. Other devices require the use of soft flexible tubing folded to cut off the flow of water and allowed to straighten enough to allow the flow of water to the planter using some sort of spring mechanism. These types of devices, however, in that the need to flatten or flex the rubber tubing is somewhat difficult to achieve fine adjustments.

All of these devices whether electrical or mechanical require separate water lines to each planter and in many cases separate electrical and/or valves or valve controls for each planter also.

One such apparatus meeting these requirements provides irrigation by way of a water dispensing device across a portion of the top of a planter covering a portion of the planter's open top surface area, thus reducing the plantable surface area. Additionally it is, for practical purposes, restricted to rectangular planters. Another such apparatus comprises a planter container that incorporates the irrigation functionality as an integral part of said planter and which can utilize a standard low pressure watering system such as a standard garden water hose to provide irrigation.

Accordingly, there exists a need for self-watering tray devices upon which conventional containers or planters for housing plants may be placed upon said self-watering tray device unit adaptable to connection to a standard garden water hose or other low pressure irrigation plumbing, and timing apparatus. Further there exists a need for the ability to “daisy-chain” multiple self-watering tray devices upon which are positioned planters together so that only one water line need be provided from a water source to irrigate all of the planters on a deck, a patio, a yard, or combinations thereof. Still further, there exists a need for such an integrated apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture and that is durable and long-lasting in use and can adapt convention non-watering conventional containers and/or planters to provide self-watering irrigation to such said convention containers and/or planters. Additionally, there remains a need for such a self-watering device that allows for the use of convention containers and/or planters of a wide range of physical sizes irrespective of the self-watering tray size or geometry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing a self-watering tray upon which a plant container/planter apparatus of various desired geometric configurations comprising a plant container/planter having no integral irrigation system (conventional plant container/planter) that can be thereby utilize a standard garden water hose to supply water and in which a plurality of such planter apparatus can be daisy-chained together to allow a single water source connection to irrigate all of the plurality of self-watering trays with non-self-watering plant containers/planters positioned thereon.

More particularly, the invention resides in a self-watering tray of various desired geometric configuration with an integral irrigation system that may be set on the ground or patio or deck surface, hung from a deck or other railing, or mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall or post, wherein said self-watering tray may be connected to a standard garden water hose for a water source allowing a conventional non-self-watering plant container/planter to be positioned and utilize the self-watering function of said self-watering tray. Most particularly, the present invention resides in a self-watering tray having a substantially round geometric configuration with an integral irrigation system.

One object of the present invention is providing a self-watering tray apparatus of various desired geometric configuration having an integral irrigation system connectable to an existing standard garden water hose or other low pressure water distribution system without the need for special fittings or modifications of the self-watering tray apparatus or the conventional non-self-watering plant container/planter conventional planter apparatus.

A most preferred object of the present invention is providing a self-watering tray for watering plants, in a non-self-watering container having a substantially centered drainage orifice through which the self-watering tray water riser may pass, mounted atop said self-watering tray comprising: a self-watering tray container having a substantially tubular side wall with a proximal open top end and a distal closed bottom end, said distal closed bottom end having a pair of water manifold mounting channels at substantially right angles to one another and an internal water distribution channel receiving bore; an integral irrigation system comprising at least one internal water manifold having a water input female connector and a water exit male connector for connection of standard garden water hose, and an internal water distribution channel, said internal water distribution channel having a distal end connected to said water manifold being substantially centered within said self-watering tray container and having a proximal end having a water outlet orifice; thereby providing a self-water self-watering tray having an integral water irrigation system contained therein and dimensioned to allow said non-self-watering container to receive irrigation water supplied by a single water source by means of a standard garden water hose.

Yet another object of the present invention is providing a plurality of self-watering trays for watering plants in an equal plurality of non-self-watering containers, each said non-self-watering container having a substantially centered drainage orifice, positioned atop said plurality of self-watering trays from a single water source by means of connecting said plurality of self-watering trays to each other in a serial daisy-chain configuration, each of said plurality of self-watering trays comprising: a tray container having a substantially tubular side wall with a distal closed bottom end and a proximal open top end; an integral irrigation system comprising an internal water manifold having a water input female connector and a water exit male connector for connection to desired lengths of standard garden water hose, and at least one internal water distribution channel, each of said at least one internal water distribution channels having a distal end connected to said water manifold and a proximal end having at least one water outlet orifice; desired lengths of standard garden water hose necessary for providing connection between a single water source and said plurality of self-watering planters; thereby providing a self-water planter having an integral water irrigation system contained therein through which water may be supplied by a single water source by means of said desired lengths of standard garden water hose.

Still another object of the present invention is providing self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration wherein, there are two water distribution channels at substantially right angles and one water manifold mounted in one of said two water distribution channels.

A further object of the present invention is providing self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration wherein, there are two water distribution channels at substantially right angles and two water manifolds mounted in said two water distribution channels

Yet still another object of the present invention is providing a method of watering plants contained in a plurality of conventional plant containers/planters each said conventional plant container/planter positioned on a self-watering tray utilizing a single water source and common standard garden water hose to provide water to all of said self-watering trays and conventional plant containers/planters positioned thereon.

Beneficial effects of the present invention include the ability to use existing water faucets, and common garden hose to provide irrigation water to one or more of the claimed self-watering trays as well as to allow for easy and economical connection of said one or more self-watering trays to an existing lawn/garden watering system. Additional benefits include saving water, prevention of non-desired growth within and without the self-watering tray and positioned conventional plant containers/planters, and the inconvenience of water getting on structures and/or furniture as common with the use of conventional sprinklers.

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from the drawings and detailed description that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the self-watering tray body sides, bottom with optional drainage orifices, water manifold mounting channel, and water distribution channel riser with a water outlet orifice.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the planter body with a proximal open top end, a distal closed bottom end having a water manifold mounting channel with the water manifold and water distribution channel riser in position to be mounted in said water manifold mounting channel.

FIG. 3 show plan side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the self-watering tray body with the water manifold mounted in water manifold mounting channel.

FIG. 4 shows a plan bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the bottom and sides of the self-watering tray body with optional drainage orifices and the water manifolds mounted in the water manifold mounting channels of said planter body distal bottom end.

FIG. 5 shows a plan bottom plan view of the presently most preferred embodiment of the claimed invention with said water manifolds mounted with mounting fasteners to said claimed invention.

FIG. 6 shows a blown up bottom portion of the sectional side view through section line C-C of FIG. 2 showing the detail of the water manifolds mounted in said water mounting channels using mounting fasteners as well as the connection of said water distribution channel riser to said water manifold.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom plan view of the presently most preferred embodiment of the claimed invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention was developed to provide an efficient and aesthetically pleasing method of irrigating a planter of various desired geometric configuration or plurality of planters of various desired geometric configuration requiring only a single common standard garden water hose to provide the water to all of the planters no matter the number. In addition, it was developed to allow for easy automatic planter irrigation on decks, patios, and landscaping using the available water facet and/or lawn watering system without the need for separate water and/or electrical lines to each planter.

Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown a top perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention tray 100 showing proximal (top) open end 2 (see also FIG. 8) the tray body sides 1, distal (bottom) end 3 (see also FIGS. 3, 5, 7) with optional drainage orifices 9, water manifold 8 with water exit fitting 5, mounted in mounting channel 11 (see FIGS. 2,3 and 5-7), and water distribution channel riser 7 with water distribution channel riser outlet orifice 6 positioned within said tray 100 through water riser mounting bore 12.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded side perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the tray body 100 with a proximal open top end 2, (see FIG. 3) a distal closed bottom end 3 (see also FIGS. 3, 5, 7) having a water manifold mounting channel 11 with the water manifold 8 and water distribution channel riser 7 in position to be mounted in said water manifold mounting channel 11 and water riser mounting bore 12 (see FIG. 1). Also shown are water distribution channel riser outlet orifice 6, water manifold input connector 4, and water manifold exit connector 5.

FIG. 3 shows a plan side view of the preferred embodiment of the self-watering tray 100 invention of FIG. 1 showing the tray body 100 having a substantially tubular side wall 1, a proximal (top) open end 2, a distal (bottom) end 3 with the water manifold 8 mounted in water manifold mounting channel 11, also shown are water manifold input connector 4, and water manifold exit connector 5.

Turning now to FIG. 4, shows a plan bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the self-watering tray 100 invention of FIG. 1 showing substantially tubular side wall 1, having a distal (bottom) end 3 with optional drainage orifices 9 and the water manifold 8 mounted in the water manifold mounting channel 11 (see FIGS. 2 & 3) of said tray body distal bottom end 3. Also shown are water manifold water inlet water connector(s) 4 and water manifold water exit connector(s) 5.

FIG. 5 shows a plan bottom view of the presently most preferred embodiment of the self-watering tray 100 invention showing substantially tubular side wall 1, having a distal (bottom) end 3 with optional drainage orifices 9 and water manifold mounting channel 11 having water manifold 8 fixedly mounted therein by water manifold mounting fasteners 14 through fastener bores 15 (see FIGS. 6, 7) of said tray body distal bottom end 3. Also shown are water manifold water inlet water connector(s) 4 and water manifold water exit connector(s) 5.

FIG. 6 shows a lower portion plan sectional side view through section line C-C of FIG. 2 showing the tray body 100 having a substantially tubular side wall 1, a distal closed bottom end 3 (see FIGS. 1-5) showing an optional drainage orifice 9 and further having a water manifold mounting channel(s) 11 (and see FIGS. 2-5) with the water manifold(s) 8 mounted in said water manifold mounting channel(s) 11 and water distribution channel riser 7 mounted in said water riser mounting bore 12. Also shown are water manifold input connector 4, and water manifold exit connector 5, and water manifold mounting fasteners 14 fixedly mounting said water manifold 8 and water distribution channel riser 7 to said tray body 100 through water manifold mounting fastener bores 15.

FIG. 7 shows a plan bottom view of the presently most preferred embodiment of the self-watering tray 100 invention of FIG. 2 showing substantially tubular side wall 1 (see FIGS. 1-6), having a distal (bottom) end 3 with optional drainage orifices 9 and water manifold mounting channel 11 having water manifold mounting fasteners 14 fixedly mounting said water manifold 8 through water manifold mounting fastener bores 15 of said tray body distal bottom end 3.

The use of the term “of various desired geometric configuration” and the like includes various tray shapes and/or styles such as, for example, circular, oval, and rectangular, as are well known in the art.

The use of the term “standard garden water hose” and the like includes garden water hose, and other lawn and garden irrigation piping and hose commonly sold for such uses and which is well known in the art such as, for example, standard PVC plumbing, standard ABS plumbing, low pressure poly rolled irrigation pipe, and combinations thereof. The means of connecting said well-known water supply means also being well known in the art such as, for example, slip/glue fittings, threaded fittings, compression fittings, and barbed plastic fittings.

The term “sprinkler head” is used in the well-known and accepted definition to include commercially available lawn sprinkler heads used in underground lawn irrigation systems and the like.

While the most preferred embodiment of the claimed invention has two manifold mounting channels and two water manifolds at right angles to one another suitable preferred embodiment has two manifold mounting channels and one water manifold.

“Mounting fasteners” are preferably nylon cable ties. However, any similar fasteners well-known in the art are suitable as are other styles of fasteners as for example U-bolt style fasteners.

It is to be understood that a wide range of sizes of non-self-watering conventional containers/planters are suitable for use with a single sized self-watering tray. Non-self-watering conventional containers/planters having a bottom dimensioned smaller than the self-watering tray top edge dimensions are positioned on and supported by the top surfaces of the water manifold mounting channels. Non-self-watering conventional containers/planters having a bottom dimensioned larger than the self-watering tray top edge dimensions are positioned on and supported by the tray open end top rim.

Additionally, the self-watering planter trays of the present invention can be used on the same water supply system as other devices such as sprinklers, soakers, and the like as are well known in the art.

Finally, it is to be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the claimed self-watering tray have drainage orifices 9, such drainage orifices 9 are not required and for use on surfaces that a user doesn't want to be water stained from water drainage from the bottom of the self-watering tray a lack of said drainage orifices 9 is contemplated.

In one presently preferred embodiment the tray body is molded as one unit having a substantially tubular side wall, and proximal open top end, a closed distal bottom end having a pair of water manifold mounting channels at right angles to one another and optional, at least one, drainage office and at least one, preferably two water manifold and a water riser fixedly mountable within said tray body distal bottom end water manifold mounting channel.

In another presently preferred embodiment all of the tray having integral water manifold system of the present invention are formed by injection molding, however other methods for forming the various parts such as, for example, extrusion, and machining, are also contemplated. All of the various parts may be constructed of the same material or of various different materials within the knowledge of those skilled in art.

In another presently preferred embodiment the tray of the claimed invention are formed of pottery using methods of production well known in the art.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-watering tray for watering plants, in a non-self-watering container containing said plants having a substantially centered drainage orifice allowing said self-watering tray water riser to pass, positioned atop said self-watering tray comprising: a) a self-watering tray container having a substantially tubular side wall with a proximal open top end and a distal closed bottom end, said distal closed bottom end having a pair of water manifold mounting channels at substantially right angles to one another and an internal water distribution channel receiving bore; b) an integral irrigation system comprising at least one internal water manifold having a water input female connector and a water exit male connector for connection of standard garden water hose, and an internal water distribution channel riser, said internal water distribution channel riser having a distal end connected to said water manifold being substantially centered within said self-watering tray container and having a proximal end having a water outlet orifice; thereby providing a self-water self-watering tray having an integral water irrigation system contained therein and dimensioned to allow said non-self-watering container to receive irrigation water supplied by a single water source by means of a standard garden water hose.
 2. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said self-watering tray internal water distribution channel riser includes a water sprinkler head mounted on said proximal end of said water outlet orifice.
 3. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said self-watering distal closed bottom end at least one water manifold mounting channel is dimensioned for receiving and securing said internal water manifold.
 4. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least one internal water manifold is fixedly attached within said planter distal closed bottom end at least one water manifold mounting channel using cable ties.
 5. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least one internal water manifold comprises one internal water manifold mounted in one said water manifold mounting channel using cable ties.
 6. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least one internal water manifold comprises two internal water manifold mounted in two said water manifold mounting channel positioned at substantially right angles to one another using cable ties.
 7. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said self-watering tray container distal closed end has at least one drainage orifice.
 8. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said self-watering tray container distal closed end has no drainage offices.
 9. The self-watering tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said self-watering tray at least one internal water manifold and said at least one internal water distribution channel comprises PVC tubular pipe.
 10. The self-watering tray connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said self-watering tray is suitable to position non-self-watering conventional planters of a plurality of sizes.
 11. A plurality of self-watering trays for watering plants in an equal plurality of non-self-watering containers containing said plants, each said non-self-watering container having a substantially centered drainage orifice allowing said self-watering tray water riser to pass, positioned atop said plurality of self-watering trays from a single water source by means of connecting said plurality of self-watering trays to each other in a serial daisy-chain configuration, each of said plurality of self-watering trays comprising: a) a tray container having a substantially tubular side wall with a distal closed bottom end and a proximal open top end; b) an integral irrigation system comprising an internal water manifold having a water input female connector and a water exit male connector for connection to desired lengths of standard garden water hose, and at least one internal water distribution channel riser, each of said at least one internal water distribution channel risers having a distal end connected to said water manifold and a proximal end having at least one water outlet orifice; c) desired lengths of standard garden water hose necessary for providing connection between a single water source and said plurality of self-watering planters; thereby providing a self-water planter having an integral water irrigation system contained therein through which water may be supplied by a single water source by means of said desired lengths of standard garden water hose.
 12. The self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 11 wherein, said standard garden water hose is selected from the group comprising; flexible water hose, flexible lawn and garden irrigation pipe, substantially rigid lawn and garden irrigation pipe, and combinations thereof.
 13. The self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 11 wherein, the at least one female end is fixedly attached to said internal water manifold of said self-watering planters.
 14. The self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 11 wherein, the at least female end is rotatably attached to said internal water manifold of said self-watering planters.
 15. The self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 11 wherein, said self-watering tray container distal closed bottom end has at least one drainage orifice.
 16. The self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 11 wherein, there are two water distribution channels at substantially right angles and one water manifold mounted in one of said two water distribution channels.
 17. The self-watering trays connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 16 wherein, the water exit male connector of the last of said plurality of self-watering trays is sealed with a terminal end cap.
 18. The self-watering tray connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 11 wherein, there are two water distribution channels at substantially right angles and two water manifolds mounted in said two water distribution channels.
 19. The self-watering tray connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the two water exit male connectors of the last of said plurality of self-watering trays are sealed with terminal end caps.
 20. The self-watering tray connected in a serial daisy-chain configuration as claimed in claim 11 wherein, said self-watering tray is suitable to mount non-self-watering conventional planters of a plurality of sizes. 